Central Basketball Association

MIDDLE TENNESSEE 92, COLUMBUS 91: (Indianapolis, Ind.) - Although the game featured multiple rallies by both teams throughout the game, where Columbus led by as many as 14 points, and Middle Tennessee by as many as 5 points, it was a crazy sequence of events in the final 20 seconds of the game that decided the contest. Trailing 89-88 and bringing up the ball in Columbus' side of the court to attempt the game-winning shot, Middle Tennessee's Myles Thrash (38 points) was stripped by Columbus' Anthony Hitchens, who went on to make an uncontested fast-break layup to give Columbus a 91-88 lead with 17 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Middle Tennessee threw an errant ball inbounds, leading to players scrambling on the floor to gain control of the loose basketball. Columbus gained possession with under 10 seconds left; however, a timeout was called by the Columbus' coaching staff. Unfortunately, in FIBA rules, a timeout is prohibited during a live ball, and a technical foul was issued against Columbus. After the technical foul shots were hit, Middle Tennessee, down 91-90, had possession of the ball. Hunter Harris received the inbounds pass, but his hook shot did not fall, leading to a Columbus rebound by James Helton. However, Middle Tennessee's Frank Thaxton alertly stripped the ball from behind and quickly shot a 6-foot floater to win the game for the Nashville-based team, as Middle Tennessee heads to their second championship game in three seasons. 

FORT WAYNE 103, INDIANAPOLIS 89: (Indianapolis, Ind.) - It is said that when a team plays an opponent for a third time in a season, after winning the first two matchups, it is difficult to win three in a row. Fort Wayne had defeated twice in the regular season in as many games, causing some to believe that the result would be different in the semifinal contest, especially considering Indianapolis had upset the 2015 defending league champions, Bowling Green, the night before. The game; however, ended with no doubt in mind about the stronger team. Fort Wayne, which continued its undefeated run, jumped out to an early-double-digit lead and never looked back, as after leading by as many as 30 points, cruised to a comfortable 14-point victory. Antonio Cannon's 34 points and Greg Foster's 32 points ensured Fort Wayne's berth in the championship game for the second consecutive season, as they look for their first title next weekend at home versus Middle Tennessee. 

2016 CBA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

Fort Wayne (9-0) vs. Middle Tennessee (8-1)

Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. ET

McMillen Center (Fort Wayne, Ind.)

(Photo by: Jeff Black / CBA Photos)